Wen praises HK after SARS fight

VISIT Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said that he was committed to preserving Hong Kong's autonomy as hunger strikers tried to bring attention to the anti-sedition law

AFP AND AP , HONG KONG

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (溫家寶) toured Hong Kong yesterday and praised its work in fighting SARS as the territory prepared to mark the anniversary of its July 1, 1997 return to Beijing's sovereignty with a massive protest against a new security law planned to coincide with the celebrations.

Protest organizers say about 100,000 people are expected to demonstrate during the festivities today against an anti-subversion law due to be passed this month that many fear will curtail human rights in the territory.

It is feared the new law -- which bans treason, sedition, theft of state secrets and subversion -- could curtail freedoms previously guaranteed for 50 years in the "one country, two systems" principle under which the city was returned to China.

But reportedly Wen said Sunday that China was committed to preserving Hong Kong's autonomy.

"We will unswervingly commit ourselves to the policies of `one country, two systems,' 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong' and high degree of autonomy," he said.

The South China Morning Post commented yesterday that even though his statement sounded familiar, "Mr Wen hit the right note, as it marked the first time that an official of his stature from the nation's new leadership has articulated this reassuring message on Hong Kong soil."